Magnifying jewelry setting and method of producing same

ABSTRACT

A gemstone is enclosed within a transparent spherical setting. The transparent spherical structure is partially filled with a polyester or acrylic resin which is permitted to harden. The gemstone is disposed upon the surface of the hardened resin and the remainder of the sphere filled with a resin having equivalent visual properties. When the gemstone is set in place within the sphere, the visual image of the gemstone is measurably larger than the actual gemstone based upon the spacial relationship of the gemstone, the radius of the sphere and reflective and refractive properties of the materials of the sphere and maintaining resin. When light strikes the boundary surface between the sphere and the ambient atmosphere, a portion will penetrate into the sphere. The light reflected from the facets of the gemstone will be refracted out the boundary with ambient air and will result in a visual image which is substantially the same in appearance as the gemstone but is magnified to a size which exceeds that of the actual gemstone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to jewelry settings in general and, in particular, to jewelry settings which enhance the apparent size of a gemstone and the method of manufacturing same.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] The prior art discloses numerous methods of producing items of jewelry from inexpensive materials which provide the appearance or illusion of larger or more expensive materials. Gems such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds are often cut into standard shapes and sizes that enhances the appearance of the gemstone. There have been numerous attempts made to enhance the appearance of a gemstone through its setting. An example of a setting which is intended to enhance the appearance of the gemstone is the etching of the setting adjacent the gemstone in order that a greater surface area of the setting is exposed to the observer. As with other jewelry settings and methods described hereinbelow, this method and/or structure permits enhancement only when the gemstone and setting are viewed from a given position.

[0005] Another jewelry setting intended to enhance the apparent size of a gemstone utilizes a housing that reflects the gemstone's light. The top of the housing reflects light, including the light of the gemstone. The gemstone is recessed with the upper edge of the girdle of the gemstone below the top edge of the housing. This permits the upper facets of the gemstone to be reflected by the inclined reflecting sidewall of the housing. The housing magnifies the appearance of the gemstone and may be incorporated to various items of jewelry. Like the structure and/or methods described hereinabove, this jewelry setting provides an illusion of a magnified or enhanced gemstone only when viewed substantially from a single direction.

[0006] The present invention resolves the inadequacies inherent in those structures and methods disclosed in the prior art. The present invention constitutes a jewelry setting and method of manufacturing same which takes advantage of the manner in which light is reflected and refracted when light strikes the boundary surface of two different transparent medium, e.g., passing from air into a glass or quartz sphere. When light strikes the boundary surface of adjacent but different transparent medium, a portion of the light is reflected back into the medium. The remainder of the light penetrates into the medium, but undergoes a change in direction in doing so: i.e., the light is refracted.

[0007] The present invention mounts the subject gemstone within a transparent sphere which has an index of refraction different from ambient air. Light reflected from the facets of a gemstone sealed within the sphere radiates outwardly based upon the reflective and refractive properties of the sphere. When light reflected from the facets of the gemstone pass from the transparent, solid sphere into the air, the observer will see an illusion of a gemstone which is in appearance substantially the same as that which is sealed within the sphere, but the image will be magnified in a manner determined by the relative size of the gemstone and the sphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A gemstone is set within a substantially transparent, spherical housing having a thing but uniform wall thickness. The spherical housing contains an aperture into the interior cavity of the housing. The housing is partially filled with a polyester or acrylic resin which is transparent when hardened. Although the present invention will be discussed with reference to use of a spherical housing filled with resin, it is understood the present invention embodies a unitary transparent sphere having uniform optical characteristics. The gemstone is placed adjacent the hardened resin surface in a position which is dependent upon the item of jewelry being manufactured, i.e., the primary surface to be viewed. The remainder of the interior cavity of the sphere is filled with a similar resin fully enveloping the gemstone. A monofilament post is placed within the top layer of resin extending from the aperture. The monofilament post is to secure the structure during mounting.

[0009] The gemstone enveloped within the resin filled sphere may be viewed from all angles. As a result, light entering the sphere will be reflected from the facets of the gemstone when the light exits the spherical setting at its boundary with ambient air. The reflected light will be redirected at the sphere-air boundary to produce an image which appears to be a gemstone which is larger than that which is enveloped within the sphere.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a jewelry setting which visually magnifies the appearance of a gemstone.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a jewelry setting which magnifies the appearance of a set gemstone through the use of the refractive qualities of the jewelry setting.

[0012] It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a magnifying jewelry setting which permits an observer to view the gemstone from all directional orientations.

[0013] It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a magnifying jewelry setting which may be manufactured through a method which is simple and inexpensive to utilize.

[0014] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a gemstone illustrating the various elements making up the appearance of the gemstone.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention jewelry setting illustrating the crown surface facets of a gemstone.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the present invention jewelry mounting illustrating the crown facets of and pavilion of a gemstone.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the present invention setting and gemstone illustrating the reflection and refraction of light from the crown surface of a gemstone.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the present invention setting and gemstone illustrating the method of manufacturing same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] The present invention comprises a setting for a gemstone which allows the gemstone to give the illusion of the appearance of a larger stone and the method for manufacturing same. Although the present invention can be equally practiced with precious and non-precious gemstones, for the purpose of example only, the preferred embodiment will be described with respect to a diamond.

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a diamond exhibiting the visual elements thereof, the diamond being generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The crown portion of the diamond 10 is designated by the reference numeral 11 and extends upwardly from the girdle 12. Crown 11 will be deemed to cover the entire portion of the diamond extending upwardly from the girdle 12 including the table 13. The pavilion 14 covers the entire portion of the diamond 10 extending downwardly from the girdle 12. The girdle 12 of diamond 10 is substantially circular, the visual elements of the crown 11 representing the ornamental features thereof. The visual elements of the crown 11 comprise table 13, star facets 15, bezel facets or crown main facets 16 and crown girdle facets 17. The visual elements of the pavilion 14 comprise pavilion facets 18.

[0022] It is an object of the present invention to provide a setting and method of manufacturing same in which a gemstone of a given size will simulate the appearance of a gemstone which is larger. An understanding of the structure of the present invention can be best gained by reference to FIGS. 2-4, inclusive. The structure of the present invention jewelry setting 5 consists of a spherical housing 20 within which the diamond 10 is enveloped. Although the structure of the present invention jewelry setting 5 will be described with respect to use of a spherical housing 20 filled with a fusable resin, it is understood a hardened sphere of fusable resin could be used in lieu thereof.

[0023] In order to enhance the apparent size of diamond 10, the present invention utilizes the principle of light reflection and refraction. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of diamond 10 enveloped within spherical housing 20. When a ray of light strikes the boundary surface of two transparent but different media, a portion of the light is reflected back into the initial medium. The unreflected penetrates into the second medium, but undergoes a change of direction.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, an incident ray of light is designated by the reference numeral 21. It is presumed the medium outside of spherical housing 20 is air and is designated by the reference numeral 22. When the ray of light 21 passes through the boundary from air to the spherical housing 20, a portion 23 of the incident light 21 is reflected from the surface of spherical housing 20. The remaining portion of the incident light 21 penetrates into spherical housing 20 and is designated by reference numeral 24. A line which is perpendicular to a tangent to the surface of spherical housing 20 is designated by reference numeral 25. The reflected light 23 is reflected such that the angle 26 which it forms with the perpendicular of incidence 25 is equal to the angle 27 formed by the incident light 21. The incident light 21, the perpendicular of incidence 25, the reflected light 23 and the refracted light 24 are all situated in the same plane. The mathematical relationship that exists between the angle of incidence 27 and the refraction angle 28 is known as the law of refraction and is determined by the optical characteristics of the media of which spherical housing 20 and the resin enveloping diamond 10 (to be described hereinbelow) are manufactured.

[0025] As stated, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an illusion of a gemstone which is larger than that which is actually enveloped within spherical housing 20. As can be seen in FIG. 4, penetrating light 24 is reflected from table 13 of diamond 10. Since the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, light 29 will cross the boundary between spherical housing 20 and ambient air 22. As a result, the ray of light will be refracted as a result of the light striking the boundary surface of two different transparent media. The combination of the reflection of the penetrating light 24 and the refraction of the reflected light 29 will magnify the appearance of diamond 10. Most importantly, since all material comprising spherical housing 20 is transparent, an observer will be provided with the illusion of enhanced size irrespective of the direction in which diamond 10 is viewed.

[0026] An understanding of the method for forming the structure of the present invention jewelry setting 5 can be best gained by reference to FIG. 5. Spherical housing 20 consists of a spherical member having an inner surface 35 and outer surface 36 which are uniform with respect to each other. Spherical housing 20 is constructed of glass or quartz. The thickness of spherical housing 20 is sufficiently small to substantially eliminate any distortion upon the passage of light therethrough.

[0027] An aperture 37 is formed in the surface of spherical housing 20. The interior cavity of spherical housing 20 is initially, partially filled with a fully transparent quantity of polyester or acrylic resin 40. The resin 40 is permitted to harden forming a surface 41. Diamond 10 is placed upon surface 41 in an orientation which is consistent with the design being manufactured. In FIG. 5 the table 13 of diamond 10 is placed adjacent surface 41. After diamond 10 is in place upon surface 41 of resin 40, a second quantity of polyester or acrylic resin 42 fills the remaining portion of the cavity of spherical housing 20. While the resin is still in a softened state, a monofilament member is secured within resin 42 to provide a member for mounting the present invention 5.

[0028] When the adjacent quantities of resin 40 and 42 harden, diamond 10 will be fully enveloped within spherical housing 20. When the diamond 10 is viewed from any angle, it will appear larger than the actual, physical dimensions of diamond 10. 

I claim:
 1. A jewelry setting for enhancing the apparent size of a gemstone comprising a spherical housing having substantially uniform optical transparency disposed about and fully enveloping the gemstone.
 2. A jewelry setting for enhancing the apparent size of a gemstone as defined in claim 1 wherein the spherical housing has an inner surface and an outer surface uniformly separated from one another and creating an interior, spherical cavity and a transparent resin disposed within the entire, interior cavity of said sphere, the gemstone being fully enveloped by said transparent resin and being suspended at substantially the center of said spherical housing.
 3. A jewelry setting as defined in claim 2 wherein said resin consists of transparent amorphous fusible matter which, when hardened, has an index of refraction substantially equal to glass.
 4. A jewelry setting as defined in claim 2 wherein said resin consists of transparent amorphous fusible matter which, when hardened, has an index of refraction substantially equal to quartz.
 5. A method for producing a jewelry setting for magnifying a gemstone comprising the steps of: (a) providing a transparent spherical housing having an inner surface and an outer surface which are uniformly separated from each other and creating a central, spherical cavity; (b) disposing an aperture through the inner surface and outer surface of said transparent sphere into said cavity; (c) suspending the gemstone within the cavity at substantially the center of said spherical housing; and (d) disposing a transparent fusible resin within the cavity of said transparent spherical housing fully enveloping the gemstone substantially at the center of said sphere.
 6. A method for producing a jewelry setting as defined in claim 5 wherein the step of disposing a fusible resin comprises: (a) disposing a first quantity of transparent fusible resin within the cavity of said transparent sphere; (b) hardening the first quantity of transparent fusible resin creating an upper surface; (c) placing the gemstone upon the hardened surface of the transparent fusible resin; and (d) disposing a second quantity of second fusible resin within the cavity of said transparent sphere fully enveloping the gemstone.
 7. A method for producing a jewelry setting as defined in claim 5 wherein the index of refraction of transparent fusible resin is substantially equal to glass. 